In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $1,070
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-5-4

#1 The Magic Ofmovies (3-1) finished second twice over the summer at Colonial Downs, running a much-improved brisnet figure of 76 at second asking. She’s facing what appears to be a soft field in her Maryland debut, and the Mike Trombetta barn has been especially potent on grass lately. Trombetta’s winning at about a 25 percent clip with his grass runners this year. #7 Christmas Jones (2-1) went off favored against a similar field to this one last out, and led most of the way before getting caught late and finishing second. We’ll see if she takes another step forward at third asking. You know for sure that she’ll be sent for speed. #5 Sin Boldly (15-1) is a first-time starter for Suzanne Stettinius, who has had an unconsciously hot start to the meet. This one’s only had three total workouts, but her last two were very sharp. 

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-1-5

Phil Capuano has them surrounded, training both of my top two picks. #6 Mo Missile (9-5) went gate-to-wire as the 11-10 favorite last out. Second-place finisher Golden Sand and third-place finisher In Honor of Jeff both came back to win their next start. #3 Our Day Will Come (7-5) beat a first-level field two starts ago at Timonium, and gets class relief here after finishing fourth in the First State Dash last out. He has good tactical speed, and will take advantage if the early pace becomes especially hot. #1 Johnny Lies (4-1) lasted a long way on the lead to win on debut at Timonium, winning the battle with the aforementioned In Honor of Jeff. He’s the only undefeated member of the field, and will try to protect inside position on the lead. 

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-1-13-5

#3 Mun Mun Can Run (3-1) chased the pace and just missed last out at Colonial with a career-best 77. She’s trying two turns for the first time while dropping to a career-low level. She also gets a new rider in Forest Boyce, who had a slow start to the meet, but did well on the grass last weekend. #1 Commemorative (9-2) was visually unimpressive in two tries against straight maidens at Delaware Park, but improved significantly to a 74 last out, and should also benefit from class relief. Graham Motion hits at 34 percent with his droppers from maiden special weight to maiden claiming in recent times, though none of them have paid much. #13 Flaming Spirit (30-1) has speed from the outside, and is one of the lightest-raced horses here, having started just twice. That’s an advantage in a race with many camera-shy runners. 

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-9-7

#4 Lady Charlotte (9-5) made her return from a seven-month layoff in a starter optional claiming contest on grass last out. She chased the pace and made a minimal impact, but it was still a respectable effort, considering it was her first race in so long. She ran in the 70s four times in a row over the winter, something most of these struggle to do at all. #3 Captured Darling (9-2) is the only one who can consistently run that fast, coming off three solid efforts at Monmouth Park. She tailed off last out against Jersey-bred allowance foes on a wet track, but a drop in class and a return to a drier track should benefit her. #9 She’s a Gem (3-1) won going away last out at Timonium, albeit while lugging in late, and has won twice in three starts on this track.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-6-8-1

#3 Niecey (6-1) lagged behind for most of the way in her grass debut at Colonial last out. However, she got the picture late, albeit too late, and closed well to miss by less than a length. She can easily build off of that effort. #6 Celtic Harp (8-1) was scratched sick from a dirt race on September 5, has worked very sharply four times since then, and is now re-entered for grass. She’s by win-early stallion Blofeld out of the productive Celtic Music, and is worth monitoring on the board. #8 More Than a Notion (5-1) also showed some respectable late punch at first asking at Colonial. She’ll add blinkers for her first start for the Robby Bailes contingent; we’ll see if that helps her make a more focused late rally. 

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

2-9-1-13

#2 Prosecco Rita (3-2) is a nosebob away from not being eligible for this condition. She set the pace on debut at Colonial and led most of the way, only to get caught in the last jump. She should make the lead and the rail and draw off from there for the Brittany Russell barn, which is 2-for-6 with 2-year-olds in maiden races at the current meet. #9 Lunar Buzz (12-1) ran a solid 76 on debut at Delaware in mid-August, and adds blinkers in her return to dirt after a fourth-place try on grass last out. #1 Kiss Me Mo (5-1) declined at second asking going five furlongs, but that might’ve been a bit shorter than she might like. We’ll see if she perks back up with more distance. 

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-2-4

In a race with mostly horses who might prefer more distance, #5 Society Ball (5-2) is thoroughly proven around one turn. She’s one of two in the race to win at this distance, and ran a game fifth, beaten two lengths, against better two starts ago at Colonial. #6 Haint Blue (4-1) has been getting better with each start since coming back from an 11-month layoff in mid-June. She hasn’t been very visually impressive against better rivals in her last few, but should take advantage of a drop from second-level company. #2 Braquet (10-1) won going away going a one-turn mile on this track in April, albeit in cold, sloppy conditions. She’s maintained top form at Penn National since then, and while Tim Kreiser trainees don’t always take their form here, she should at least rally for a share.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-6-9-2

#3 Louvar (20-1) made her grass debut going a mile two races back. She drafted towards the back of the pack early on, made a strong middle move, and then stopped. She cut back to 5 ½ furlongs in her next try, made one sustained move, and just missed second in a blanket finish. Although she’s stepping up in class on paper, this is a way easier field than she saw last time. #6 Worries Unfounded (4-1) ran back-to-back 68s on grass last fall, chasing the pace against better both times. She hasn’t raced since February, but she’s worked very well for a while, and trainer Mike Geralis does well with horses off such a break. #9 Mysunshinegirl (4-1) has run decent figures form both on and off the pace in her three-start grass career. Look for her to work out a trip just off the pace on the outside.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-5-8

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